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Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
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May 5, 2014


Statement from Chancellor Black regarding Congressman Oberstar

Congressman Jim Oberstar receiving Doctor of Law degree from University of Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar with a newly installed electric car charger at the University of Minnesota Duluth

Dear Campus Community:

The University of Minnesota Duluth lost a dear friend over the weekend. Congressman Jim Oberstar will be remembered for his phenomenal work for transportation and his unwavering support for education.

I appreciated and valued getting to know him and am deeply saddened by his passing.

Oberstar received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, the University of Minnesota's highest honor, at UMD's 2000 commencement ceremony. He was instrumental in establishing the Sea Grant Program and the UMD Center for Freshwater Research and Policy. He helped secure federal funding for a number of programs at the UMD Natural Resources Research Institute, and assisted the university to acquire the Coleraine Minerals Research Laboratory from U.S. Steel.

Oberstar supported alternative transportation methods and helped make Northeastern Minnesota more bicycle-friendly. He was here with us at UMD last spring to dedicate our very first electric vehicle charging station on campus.

He died Saturday at age 79. Here is a link to a Duluth News Tribune story about Oberstar’s legacy.

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black,
Chancellor


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